SPDD Press statement
Outrage has been expressed by a leading community group in Donabate over the latest set-back in efforts to improve infrastructure in the area.

Supporting Proper Development in Donabate (SPDD) has repeatedly highlighted the chronic infrastructure deficits on the peninsula, which is exacerbated by a surge in construction.

A desperately-needed widening of the road leading into Donabate is now set to be delayed.

The widening of the narrow road was a condition attached to the grant of planning permission for the building of the National Forensic Mental Hospital in Portrane, a €160m project.

Fingal County Council received funding for the works from the HSE.
Planning permission for the forensic mental hospital was granted as far back as the summer of 2015.

Work had started on the narrow road near the railway bridge, but recently the contractor had ceased works.

Residents had been assured that a contractual issue that arose had been rectified and the works would be completed by March.

But it has now emerged that Fingal County Council has terminated the contract for the project with Tilbury Construction Ltd.

The council intends to re-tender for it, with works on the site not now due to restart until the first few months of next year.

A spokesperson for SPDD said the traffic situation for residents on the peninsula was intolerable, with long tailbacks now a regular feature at rush hours.

The problem is being made worse by other road works being carried out in Donabate at the moment.

The spokesperson said: “Residents are furious about this latest failure to widen the road near the railway bridge. It is unacceptable that the area is under such strain from inadequate infrastructure at a time when Fingal County Council is granting planning permissions for so many construction projects.

“It is not reasonable or fair that the area’s residents should have to suffer like this. SPDD is demanding higher standards from Fingal County Council.”

SPDD said that given that permission for the Portrane hospital was granted three years ago, it is not acceptable that it is taking this long to complete the works.

SPDD also called for a full investigation into the latest problem with the project.

SPDD recognises the need for housing and wishes for development in Donabate to be carried out in a sustainable way that enhances and reflects the needs of a growing community. @SPDD17

i just want to say a huge thank you to Donabate Portrane Community Council and SPDD for looking out for the future of this town of ours.

in a time when we have 2 councillors representing Donabate for the first time, we are in a worse position than ever as a town. So we have to turn to groups like the above mentioned, who don't have an agenda as they are simply people like you and I who just want the best for the future of this area.

This road widening is a complete shambles. Did I read somewhere when the contract was initially awarded many moons ago that there was a question mark over the company? If so, why was it awarded in the first place? Are we going to need yet another tribunal? I really don't think we as a community should let Fingal Co Co away with this. A full investigation needs to be done. This is about 100 metres of road. We as a community could build it ourselves in a week if we were provided with the equipment and materials. Realistically I don't think a new contract is going to be awarded/work started until at the very least the second half of next year. Why are FCC dragging their heels on putting out a new tender until the New Year? Just put the damn thing up on etenders and get the ball rolling.

Every damn road in this town now has major problems. Driving up the Beaverstown road the other day for the first time in a while and I feel sorry for those that have to drive it every day. It's covered in potholes and works.

I feel our politicians need to be more forceful in their dealings with the Council and stop trying to be all nicey nicey and diplomatic.

So, again I just want to say thank you. I will offer my support when and where I can.

They need to repaint the white line down the middle of the road on bridge approach at least for now, since its even narrower than it was. White Line Straddlers having a field day lazily drifting across the lane and acting all doh when you flash them.

That Island is so dangerous, I don't know what they were thinking, I'm glad there hasn't been ice on the roads yet this winter as it's an accident waiting to happen

I dont understand it either. It's supposedly there for traffic calming, but it slows traffic leaving the village rather than entering it.

It makes perfect sense. The purpose of the chicane and the traffic island is to slow outgoing traffic to allow for easier egress from the new Semple Woods estate. There will be a large volume of traffic exiting that estate.